Finding Peace

All I have to do is sit for five minutes and I feel a peace settle on my soul.

Isaiah 48:1-22

Reference: v.18 If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: A report came out in Australia saying that new mothers were still exhausted 18 months after their baby was born. We asked a few people what they do to relax and we got a number of varied responses.

Rhiannon said she got support from her husband, Skye mentioned a high coffee intake, Julie enjoyed chocolate and Andrew liked going out for lunch with friends.

I’m fortunate enough to live near a river. I find there is little else more serene than going down to the banks of the river and watching the water flow by. Once I sit still, I realise I’m not alone as the birds start to chirp and it’s like the water is washing all my anxiety away.

All I have to do is sit for five minutes and I feel a peace settle on my soul. My situation may not change, but my perspective does.

Application: Life certainly throws curve balls our way, that is a given. However, the choice we do have is how we approach each situation.

There are times when I approach my anxiety well. I knuckle down, talk issues through with friends, and pray for guidance.

At other times, I’m not so wise. I whinge, I build smaller issues into something greater, and I take the entire burden on myself.

That is not how God wants us to deal with stress. God is peace and He desires for us to connect with Him in such a way that His peace reigns in our lives too.

Coffee, chocolate and rivers are helpful to take some time out, but let’s not forget to connect to the creator of peace.

Prayer: Lord, You are not only the creator of peace, but You offer it freely to us. Forgive us when we take issues upon ourselves. May we seek out the creator of peace today. Amen.

How can you connect to the peace of God today?

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